The New Normal

It is evident that the New Normal is characterized by the

implementation of policies that will secure the continuous delivery
of higher education while experiencing waves of lockdowns and
series of quarantines. At the onset of the surge of the pandemic,
education institutions across the country, including _________,
took part in the implementation of policies that include the modified
forms of distance learning methods which facilitates education
activities for students to still learn while staying within the comforts
of their homes.
The global pandemic brings our community to its knees,
greatly affected our day to day life, and temporarily shut down
some of the usual operations of all Higher Education Institutions
(HEIs) in the country. Notwithstanding the diverse stresses that
these trying times bring, we were not only taught on how to harness
and utilize the powerful capabilities of available platforms,
technology, and distance learning modalities; it also compelled us
to think further, assess, and develop strategies - strategies which
can lead to the improvement of teaching and learning under the
new normal which can also bridge and fill the gaps caused by the
socio-economic differences of our main stakeholders, the students.
Assessment of the situation and taking into account the
differences of our students’ respective socio-economic status has
been part in the development of distance learning options and
creation of flexible learning platforms which allow less fortunate
students who have no internet connection or have intermittent
connectivity in completing their course requirements throughout the
academic year.